Bin Locations.. How to go about this?

[pronet74]

I am currently using Macola Progression 7.5.103e (I can't update due to core mods being done by Macola). We are a wholesale distrubutor and the GM asked me to look into ways of using Bin Locations. How would I go about this? I assume Macola is setup for this. He wants a barcode printed so that it can be scanned by the warehouse employee so he knows where the object is. However another problem to look into is, an item in the warehouse can be moved to different locations, so it would have to be updated as well when it gets moved.

Any of you experts know how I can go about this?

 

[allenblackburn]

If you search this site for keyword=bin, you will find a good thread from August of 2004 started by "

http://wwwedward".

That should get you started in the right direction.
Allen Blackburn

 

[dgillz]

To do what you described, you must own the Macola Barcode module, to use multibin, you must own the Macola Advanced Distribution module.

Do you own these modules?

Also, please explain what you mean by "I can't update due to core mods being done by Macola". Are you saying they are STILL modifying 7.5.103e?

In terms of modifications, I have heard similar claims of inability to update in a modified source code environment easily overcome by Flexibility, VB and/or SQL triggers.

Finally, before you are sold on bins, take a look at the picking sequence field on the 3rd page of the item location record. Bins carry a lot of overhead with them (you cannot make a binned item go negative, and the item-location-bin record must exist before you can make a transaction to it.) Whereas the picking sequence field can in many cases give you an idea of where the part id to be physically stocked and/or pulled from, without the extra work needed to support a binned environment in Macola.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com

http://www.srhconsulting.com

 

[pronet74]

Thanks for your reply. We already use the picking seq. as a way to determine if the item is a 'warehouse' item, a 'drop ship' item or a 'return'. This was implemented before I started working here.

The previous person had Macola do a OE->PO link right within' the core code (not using flexibility), Macola wanted $10k to fix this & another mod to the current version. I have flexibility but wouldn't know where to start in trying to resolve these myself.

With Bin Location our General Manager wants something like this:

When an item comes in the warehouse worker puts the item away, scans it (with it's location). When the item gets shipped, the warehouse worker scans the pick ticket item, which will tell him where the item is at.

I don't have the multi-bin or barcode module. Would they even sell them to me using such a late version? It took me selling my left nut, just so that I could purchase flexibility for my version. As you can tell, they have us between a rock and a hard place. Enough of one where my GM wants me to look into other packages and abandoning Macola.

 

[pronet74]

Does the barcode module give you the ability to 'poll'? If so, I do have that one, but nothing that will let me print out barcodes.

 

[dgillz]

Macola will let you print out barcodes on the forms themselves. This is maintained in system manager,forms designer. As a result you can print them from almost anywhere in Macola.

The Bar Code module itself does not print bar codes as you have discovered.

The bar code module does give you the ability to poll. The polling consists of looking for new files, in a certain format, that represent new inventory transactions. If you have the ability to create these text files from the bar codes that are currently being scanned, we can start polling.

On the OE to PO thing, I don't even know where to start. Since this is controlled on an item by item basis (providing that you own advanced distribution) I see no reason to use an old version of Macola or be forced to put up with the kinds of costs you are throwing around. Is there some other functionaliity being offerered with the modified source code?

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com

http://www.srhconsulting.com

 

[crystalreporting]

Don't forget that Crystal can print bar codes - all you need is a true-type bar-code font. Macola's bar-code module offers all sorts of polling and batch update capabilities. If you're simply looking to improve accuracy, and save keystroke time, then you can buy a cheap keyboard wedge. A barcode font, Crystal and some inexpensive scanners can provide you with a low cost and reasonably effective barcode solution.

As dgillz indicates, the whole OE to PO functionality is now a standard part of Macola. Ditch your mods A.S.A.P - if you can't upgrade now, it's not going to get any easier. Just about anything you can dream up for Macola can be done outside of the core application using any combination of SQL/Crystal/Flexibility.

Peter Shirley

http://www.linkcorp.com

 

[MacolaHelp]

Suggestion: use location code to identify warehouse, drop ship or return. Then you CAN use pick sequence for the shelf or location in the building. If you do random multiple bins, you may need multibin. However, you can change the pick sequence as needed & then you can print the pick ticket in pick sequence order. This might work if you don't have tons of changes. If you do have a lot, you should seriously consider getting your maintenance current & install 7.6.300a since the former Peak Best of OE enhancement is now included in the core Macola code & you might need to purchase advanced dist. It is a very nice OE to PO integration (as Peak wrote it, anyway, NOT the OE/PO that Macola included starting around 103D). I'm not sure if Macola dumbed the Peak version down, but it is worth getting a installing a demo version using your data & looking at what is now available versus what you have in place with your custom code. You should get the specs for your customizations so you can figure out or your reseller or one of us can help you determine how to replace or procedurally deal with what you need to do going forward.

Macola is one of the best inventory management/distribution systems in its marketspace. Your GM needs a good Macola consultant to help you figure out how to make it work properly in your environment.

 

[pronet74]

Thanks for all your help guys. I am against going to another ERP since it'll be a huge headache for me. What are the benefits for going to ES over 7.6.300?

I am current on our support contract and I do have the updated software. I need to dedicate a machine and put that on & try to pull across the data.

As far as print barcodes on the forms, I don't see that in the form designer. Where would I look for that?

 

[dgillz]

ES vs 76300 is too big of a discussion for this forum, IMHO. You need to talk to your reseller or find one you are happier with. Several good ones are on this forum.

In terms of printing Bar Codes on forms, when you maintain the form, there is a barcode checkbox on every line of data. If you check this, then another dialog box appears and you choose which type of barcode to print -- Code 39, Extended 39, Code 128. etc.

Good Luck!

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Exact Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports
askdon@srhconsulting.com

http://www.srhconsulting.com

 

[MacolaHelp]

Especially if you are still psql rather than mssql, I suggest that you optimize your current installation with up to date software and procedures before you venture into SQL & ES. The accounting in ES is quite different from Progression & you will need to get some good participation from those folks to make that migration. It sounds like you have plenty to do to get your ducks in a row before you need to introduce this type of change as well.

 

[wwwedward]

as others have suggested getting on sql and newer version of macola would be good steps. We just went through the entire process of going to multi_bin etc.. We are now introducing bar coding. At this point, I think it is working great and going to work better through the injection of bar-coding.. I know our "GM" is liking the enhanced tracking for pallets.. We operate a case/pull and pallet/pull operation. Running macola on top of SQL 2000 is a mandatory requirement to allow one to creatively fill in macola's gaps.. Good Luck..